Absolutley Amazing Lasagna

This is my favorite lasagna recipe.

It is incredibly yummy!

 

 

Amazing Lasagna

 

 

1 pound ground beef

6 ounces ground pork (not sausage, see notes)

3/4 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

 

1 can (1 pound) tomatoes

1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce

2 Tbs. parsley flakes

2 Tbs. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp.  basil leaves

 

24 ounces cottage cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 Tbs. parsley flakes

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. oregano leaves

 

12 lasagna noodles, cooked & well drained

3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 pound cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

Cook and stir ground beef, ground pork, onion & garlic in large saucepan until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off all grease.

 

Add tomatoes, break up with a fork if necessary. Stir in tomato sauce, 2 Tbs. parsley flakes, the sugar, 1 tsp. salt and the basil. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 1 hour or until mixture is the consistency of spaghetti sauce.

 

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cottage cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 Tbs. parsley flakes, 1 1/2 tsp. salt and the oregano. Reserve 1/2 cup meat sauce for thin top layer.

 

In un-greased 9x13 pan, layer 1/4 each of the noodles, meat sauce, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese and cottage cheese mixture. Repeat the layers 3 times.

 

Spread reserved meat sauce over top, sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.

(Lasagna can be covered and refrigerated several hours at this point if desired. Add an additional 10-15 minutes to cook time)

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes

For easier cutting, let stand 15 minutes after removing from oven.

 

Yield: 12 servings

 

*My Notes:

Ground pork can be a little difficult to find. You can substitute a mild sausage if you have to. Try a mild Italian sausage, or a mild country sausage.

 

The cheddar cheese is my addition. We just like it with just a little bit of cheddar!

 

I use pre-grated Parmesan, I've found a brand I like. When I first started making this, I used the Kraft powdered stuff, 'cause I didn't know there was any different kind. You can use whichever you prefer.

 

The simmer time of the meat sauce will depend on what type of tomatoes you use. I usually use either petite diced or crushed style of tomatoes.

 

Start to finish takes about 2 hours. Approximately 1 hour prep/assembly & 1 hour baking time.